Make an FOI Request to the Referendum Commission
What records can I look for through this website?
You can make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request for records held by the Referendum Commission through this website.
Under the Referendum Commission Act 1998, separate Referendum Commissions are established in respect of each referendum. When a Referendum Commission is dissolved (one month after it presents its report on a referendum), its records are then held by the Standards Commission. Any FOI requests to a Referendum Commission on hands when the Commission is dissolved will be automatically transferred to the Standards Commission. If you wish to make a request regarding records relating to a former Referendum Commission held by the Standards Commission, please see details on that Commission’s website: http://www.sipo.gov.ie/en/About-Us/FOI-Request/
Freedom of Information Act 2014
The Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI Act 2014) came into effect on Tuesday, 14 October 2014, subject to certain commencement dates for the specific provisions set out in section 1 of the Act.
The new Act can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2014/en/act/pub/0030/index.html
What records of the Referendum Commission are covered?
Records held by the Referendum Commission are covered by the FOI Act, subject to applicable exemptions set out in the legislation. For information about the records which the Commission holds, you may contact Mr Brian McKevitt, FOI Officer, at 01-6395713 or foi@sipo.gov.ie.
How to make a request
To request records held by the Referendum Commission, please write to us stating that you are making a request under the FOI Act 2014. You should address your request to the FOI Officer, Referendum Commission, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, or send an email to foi@sipo.gov.ie.
Your letter should:
1. refer to the FOI Act;
2. give as much information as possible about the records being sought;
3. indicate whether the records requested are personal or non-personal;
4. specify if you would like to obtain copies of the record or would prefer access in another form
How you can help us deal with your request
If you are looking for a record you should provide as much information as possible to allow us find it. If you want it in a particular format (e.g. a photocopy, transcript, computer disk; or if you want to examine it) you should state this clearly in your request.
Amending a record held by the Referendum Commission
If you are looking for an amendment to a record, your request should identify the record concerned and the amendment required, and provide evidence that the amendment is necessary.
How we will help you in making your request
The FOI Act says that the public (FOI) body should help a person who is looking for a record under the FOI Act. It specifically states that assistance should be provided where the requester has a disability. In addition, this Office may contact you to clarify your request with you.
Do I have to pay a fee?
In certain circumstances fees are charged under the FOI Act 2014. There is no fee for making an initial FOI request; the fee for an internal review is €30, or €10 for the holder of a medical card. If a fee is payable in respect of an internal review to this Office you may pay by cheque, bank draft or postal order.
Requesters can also be charged for the time spent finding records that are to be given to them, and for any photocopying costs incurred by the public body in providing material to the requester. Such costs are very unlikely to arise in the case of personal information. Requesters cannot be charged for the time spent on deciding whether or not to grant their request.
How long will it take?
Once the Referendum Commission receives a request it has up to four weeks to make a decision. The decision will be issued to you in writing and will specify whether or not your request is being granted, part-granted or refused and will give you the reason(s) behind the decision.
What if I am unhappy with the decision?
If you are unhappy with the decision or if after the four weeks you have not received a decision (this is called a refusal to your FOI request by non-reply) your next step is to apply for an 'internal review'.
An 'internal review' is an appeals mechanism within this Office which will be carried out by an officer who is more senior than the individual who made the decision on your original request. To request an internal review you must write to this Office referring to the decision received (if one was made) and state that you are making an internal review appeal. You cannot raise any further issues in your internal review appeal: The sole purpose of the review is for another officer to reconsider the decision on your original request only. This Office has three weeks to make a decision on your request for an internal review.
